Real Madrid now three points behind leaders Barca

Madrid, March 15 (DPA) Real Madrid are now just three points behind Spanish leaders Barcelona after a stormy 5-2 win over Athletic Bilbao in the Primera Liga. Saturday’s win was the perfect way for the whites to recover from Tuesday’s 4-0 Champions League meltdown at Liverpool.

Real now have 60 points from 27 games, just three points less than Barcelona, who play Sunday at midtable Almeria.

Two second-half goals from Klaas Jan Huntelaar, who was ineligible to play against Liverpool, tipped the balance in Real’s favour after Bilbao had pulled two goals back.

Real’s Arjen Robben opened the scoring with a classy solo goal in the 23rd minute, and Gabriel Heinze made it 2-0 with a brave header.

Heinze then brought Bilbao back to life with a clumsy own goal. Straight afterward, Bilbao playmaker Fran Yeste was harshly sent off for a scuffle with Real’s Iker Casillas.

There was still time in the first half for Spain striker Fernando Llorente to make it 2-2 with a header that Casillas made a hash of.

Huntelaar took centre-stage in the second half. He made it 3-2 in the 47th minute with a clever near-post drive, then polished Bilbao off on the hour with a precise, left-footed chip.

Six minutes from time Gonzalo Higuain made it 5-2 from the penalty spot, after a disputed foul on Marcelo by Andoni Iraola.

Earlier Saturday, crisis club Valencia had managed to force a late 1-1 draw at home to lowly Recreativo Huelva.

Valencia - whose players have not been paid since December due to the club’s alarming financial situation - have picked up just three points from their last six games.

Unai Emery’s depressed team were again without injured Euro 2008 top scorer David Villa and missed his craft in attack.